Overview
This 4 days Congo lowland and mountain gorilla tracking Safari rewards you with meeting Face to Face with Gorillas in Both Kahuzi Biega National park, which is located in Eastern Congo is the only destination where you find the Eastern lowland Gorilla which is the world’s largest Gorilla specie and Virunga National Park, found in the Northeastern part of the country. Though it is the least visited gorilla destination; it doesn’t take away the fact that it has a lot to offer. This 4 days Congo lowland and mountain gorilla tracking Safari will start and end in Kigali-Rwanda.
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN KIGALI AND TRANSFER TO KAHUZI-BIEGA NATIONAL PARK
Our Safari guide will meet you at Kigali International Airport for a briefing on your 4 days Congo lowland and mountain gorilla tracking Safari adventure. You will depart by road for Cyangugu, the border town where you will cross from Rwanda into the Democratic Republic of the Congo passing through the town of Butare, the Intellectual Center of Rwanda and Nyungwe Forest. We shall cross into Bukavu Town of Congo after clearing with the Immigrations at the border, on arrival our driver guide will transfer you to your hotel for your dinner and Overnight.
Luxury Accommodation: L’Orchids Safari Club / Cormoran Lodge
Midrange Accommodation: Coco Lodge
Budget Accommodation: Bethany Guest House / Exodus Bukavu
Meal Plan: Lunch, Dinner
DAY 2: CONGO EASTERN LOWLAND GORILLA TRACKING AND TRANSFER TO VIRUNGA NATIONAL PARK.
After an early breakfast, you will be transferred to the Park headquarters of the Kahuzi Biega National Park in Lwiro which is about an hour’s drive along the shoreline of Lake Kivu. You will register and be assigned to a group with a Park Ranger and begin your tracking of the Eastern Lowland Gorillas. Kahuzi-Biega is one of the biggest national parks in the country. Set in both mountainous and lowland terrain, it is one of the last rare species of Eastern lowland gorilla (Gorilla beringei graueri), which is an endangered gorilla species.
After you have spent the permitted hour with the Eastern Lowland Gorillas, you will return to the park headquarters where you will meet your driver Guide, who will then transfer you to the Virunga National Park driving north. This drive will prove to be very beautiful, though the roads themselves are not the best. On arrival, you will be transferred to your accommodation for dinner and overnight at Luxury Accommodation: Mikeno lodge
Midrange Accommodation: Bukima tented camp
Budget Accommodation: Ihusi Hotel-Goma
Meal Plan: FB
DAY 3: CONGO MOUNTAIN GORILLA TREKKING IN VIRUNGA NATIONAL PARK
After your Morning Breakfast, our driver-guide will take you to the Park headquarters of the Virunga National Park for briefing and registering to a group and Park Ranger. You will then begin your Mountain Gorilla Tracking Adventure through the Jungle. It can take up to many hours to find a particular Gorilla Family you are assigned to, as they roam the forest and sometimes it can take a while to connect with them. You will be permitted to spend up to one hour with the Gorillas observing and photographing them within the guidelines that will be outlined to you at the registration. Also, all trekkers are advised to carry enough water, non-flash cameras, sturdy trekking shoes, hats, and long-sleeved trousers. After your Day’s trek return to the Lodge for an evening to relax.
Enjoy your dinner and Overnight as above.
Meal Plan: FB
DAY 4: TRANSFER TO KIGALI, RWANDA FOR DEPARTURE
Enjoy your breakfast at the lodge and return to Kigali, if time permits, your guide can give you a cultural and historical tour of Kigali, including the Genocide Memorial Center. Later transfer to your hotel/lodge having lunch on the way and if you have your flight in the evening; you will be transferred to the airport for your Flight Home. END OF 4 DAYS CONGO LOWLAND AND MOUNTAIN GORILLA TRACKING SAFARI!
This 4 days Congo lowland and mountain gorilla tracking Safari package is inclusive of:
Transportation and Fuel in 4 WD safari Vehicle.
Accommodation and meals as per the itinerary
English speaking driver/guide
Meals as per the itinerary
Eastern Lowland Gorilla tracking permit for Kahuzi Biega national park
Gorilla tracking Permit for Virunga National Park
Bottled drinking water all through the tour
All Park Entrance Fees and Government Taxes
This 4 days Congo lowland and mountain gorilla tracking Safari package excludes:
Air ticket,
Personal travel insurance,
Visa fees,
Drinks and beverages,
Tipping,
Souvenirs and any other items of a personal nature.
NOTE: Your Rwanda Visa Expires immediately you cross into Congo so you will have to reapply for another Visa while at the border and find it ready after your Congo Tour.